Support for reenforcing steel for concrete structures



Nov. 10, 1959 us 2,911,819

SUPPORT FOR REENFORCING STEEL FOR CONCRETE STRUCTURES Filed Sept. 4, 1956 FIG-3 JOHN L- AUSTIN IN V EN TOR.

BY Cid/(KM ATTORNEY United States lfatent O SUPPORT FQR REENFORCING STEEL FOR CONCRETE STRUCTURES John L; Austin, Fort Worth, Tex. Application September 4, 1956, Serial No. 607,761

4 Claims. (Cl. 72-122) This invention relates to construction devices, or apparatus used in fabricating concrete structures where reenforcing steel is utilized, especially in concrete floors and slab-type foundations, and the principal object of the invention resides in the provision of preformed elements designed for supporting and maintaining reenforcing steel in proper position in concrete floors and slabs while pouring and settling the materials.

An object of the invention is that of providing a preformed metal suppporting device by which the reenforcing steel, formed in rods or in a conventional type of mesh, at a proper height or spacing according to the thickness or dimension of the floor in which the reenforcing materials are placed, thus insuring the proper leveling of the materials without the use of such ordinary devices as brick, and other supporting media, which is not generally accurate as to engineering standards.

Another object of the invention is that of providing an economical prefabricated unit capable of acquisition from structural steel suppliers, and in different dimensions, according to the thicknesses and purposes of the structural unit to which it is to be applied, supporting the reenforcing materials in the intermediate position between the top and bottom surfaces of the slab, as desired.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a unit which can be stamped from sheet metal, of any desired gauge in thickness, and formed with a base portion and extended angular supporting portions, by which can be provided a simple and inexpensive device by which concrete reenforcing mesh or rods can be maintained while having concrete poured thereon, and which can be embedded in the finished structure without excessive costs.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of the invention showing a single supporting element extending from the base.

Figure 2 is an end view of the invention in application.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the invention having a reenforcing rod applied thereto in operative position.

Figure 4 shows, in plan, a plurality of the devicw embodying the invention having a reenforcing mesh attached thereto.

Figure 5 illustrates, in plan, a modification of the invention in which a plurality of standards are formed with the base portion, and

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the invention embodying a plurality of standards formed therewith and supporting the reenforcing steel rods for concrete structures.

It is a common practice to place some type of supporting media beneath reenforcing steel rods or mesh in concrete floor structures, as in the forming of concrete slabs poured on a solid base, such as road pavements, floors,

2,911,819 Patented Nov. 10, 1959 and the like, or in the forming of above ground flooring, as in multi-storied structures where it is desirable to provide poured concrete floors. In either event, it is desirable to provide reenforcements in the form of steel rods, formed in single strings, or in mesh units which must be uniformly supported across the entire area for proper integration of the mass to prevent cracking or separation by settling of supporting surfaces, or through weight applied to suspended floors, as in multi-storied structures.

Such structural reenforcing rods or mesh is generally supported by any means available, as by brick, concrete blocks, and the like, or by wire applied to trusses of any suitable design laid across supporting media such as wood joists, or the like. The invention is designed to be expendable and applied as a part of the supporting medium for the reenforcing materials.

The invention comprises a unit 10 which is preferably formed from relatively heavy gauge sheet metal and preferably stamped to form a base 11 from which is cut a portion 12 to be extended at right-angles to provide a support for the reenforcing rod or steel 13. The base 11 is strengthened by a bead 14 which extends longitudinally thereof and intermediate the edges which have upturned flanges 15 lending more rigidity. The bead 14 also extends into the portion 12, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The cut out portion 12 is preferably trimmed to a triangular shape, as exemplified in Figure 2, and legs 16 and 17 are formed with each end of the base 11, as shown in Figures 1, 3, 5 and 6 to afford a suitable bearing for the device. As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 two opposing upright portions 12 are provided to afford a more substantial support when desired. In this modified form, however, there is no change in the function of the device nor in the manner of applying the steel 13 thereto.

Each member 12 has a U-shaped slot 18 formed in its apex to receive the steel 13 and the extended ends or fingers 19 of the slot 18 are twisted or bent to assume right-angular opposing positions whereby they can be brought together over the steel 13 to secure the same, as depicted in Figures 2 and 3. While it is not always necessary to so fasten the steel 13 to the members 12, it is sometimes desirable in order to prevent their dislodgment during the application of concrete thereto. Obviously, the invention can be spaced about the area in any desired manner for the proper support of the steel 13, as shown in Figure 4.

Manifestly, the structure herein shown and described is capable of certain changes and modifications from time to time, by persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for supporting horizontally disposed reenforcing rods, in concrete floor and paving structures, comprising a substantially rectangular sheet metal body forming a relatively broad base for engagement with a supporting surface, the body being cut away beginning at one of its ends to define a central tab portion and marginal legs on opposite sides of the tab portion, the opposite end of the body having a recess therein opposite the tab portion and having marginal legs on opposite sides of the recess, the tab portion being bent upwardly at right angles to the plane of the body to form a vertical standard, the side edges of the standard being inclined upwardly and inwardly, a substantially U-shaped slot being formed in the upper edge of the standard at its center for engagement by a rod, and a pair of fingers extending upwardly from the standard, on opposite sides of the slot, capable of being bent in overlapping engagement with the rod to retain the rod in the slot.

2. A device for supporting horizontally disposed reenforcing rods, in concrete floor and paving structures, comprising a substantially rectangular sheet metal body forming a relatively broad base for engagement with a supporting surface, the body being cut away beginning at one of its ends to define a central tab portion and marginal legs on opposite sides of the tab portion, the tab portion being bent upwardly at right angles to the plane of the body to form a vertical standard, the side edges of the standard being inclined upwardly and inwardly, a substantially U-shaped slot being formed in the upper edge of the standard at its center for engagement by a rod, and a pair of fingers extending upwardly from the standard, on opposite sides of the slot, capable of being bent in overlapping engagement with the rod to retain the rod in the slot.

3. A device as described in claim 2 in which the height of the vertical standard is substantially less than the width of the body.

4. A device as described in claim 2 in which the body has upturned flanges along its longitudinal edges and is crimped along its longitudinal center line to form a reenforcing bead.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 824,595 Scofield June 26, 1906 1,882,499 Johns Oct. 11, 1932 2,064,705 Whitehead Dec. 15, 1936 2,278,917 Curry Apr. 7, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 898,803 France July 17, 1944 64,223 Denmark Jan. 7, 1946 

